The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity [Paperback]

Keith Augustus Burton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2007

According to some estimates, Africa will soon have the highest concentration of Christians in the world. But African Christianity has had a long and conflicted history. Even today, modern misinterpretations of Scripture argue for God's curse upon the dark-skinned peoples of Africa. In this comprehensive study, Keith Burton traces the story of biblical Africa and the place of the Bible in the land of Ham. Beginning with the Old Testament, he explores the geography of biblical Africa and moves beyond stereotypical discussions of African ethnicity and identity. He then chronicles the African presence in the church from the New Testament onward, paying particular attention to the growth of Islam in Africa as well as the impact of European colonialism and the slave trade. Coming to the modern era, he examines the achievements of African Christianity and visionary efforts to adapt and reclaim Christianity for the African context. Burton invites readers to discover anew the relevance of the biblical narrative for African Christians as well as Scripture's influence on African Christianity. This invigorating work places the story of the Bible and African Christianity in a wider global context and challenges readers to think differently about history and the biblical world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a broad knowledge of the role of Africa in the history of the Christian religion. It is frank, firm, and fearless." Michael Omolewa, Professor of Adult Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. --The Journal of African American History

"...creatively crafted, well written, and adequately documented.... No reader will be disappointed after perusing its lucid pages." J. N. K. Mugambi, University of Nairobi --Review of Biblical Literature

"...the case for a fresh look at the significance of Africans in the biblical record...is convincingly made." Jehu J. Hanciles, Fuller Theological Seminary --International Bulletin of MIssionary Research

"This is a very interesting book to read, very creatively crafted, well written, and adequately documented. . . . No reader will be disappointed after perusing its lucid pages." (J. N. K. Mugambi, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, in Review of Biblical Literature )

"This is indeed a landmark publication as it is an invaluable contribution on the specificity of African Christian theology that has blossomed in the last thirty-five years since J. S. Mbiti's seminal article of 1972. I wholeheartedly commend The Blessing of Africa to all, especially Africans and African Americans who want to appreciate the Bible as the basis of African Christianity and its theology in the world today." (Ukachukwu Chris Manus, professor, Department of Religious Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and author of Christ the African King and Intercultural Hermeneutics of the Bible in Africa )

"Keith Augustus Burton, in his new volume, The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity, helps us to see that all roads do not lead to Rome. There is at least one highway that tends southward toward Ethiopia and even to the lands beyond its rivers. As Augustine said, 'God hath foretold that the Church should be in Africa.'

Dr. Burton's familiarity with the sources and his broad historical view make it possible for him to paint a vivid picture of Yahweh's word at work in the 'land of Ham.' In a day when historians, religion teachers, journalists and even filmmakers are rushing to grasp the significance of Africa's sudden turn toward Christianity, Burton makes solid sense of what is happening biblically, theologically and historically. He deserves our thanks. You will agree as you read it." (Charles E. Bradford, president (retired), Seventh-day Adventist Churches in North America )

"I found this book fascinating and have learned from it considerably, both on matters I have previously studied and on material that was new to me. On points where my views differ, Burton has challenged and stimulated my thinking." (Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament, Palmer Theological Seminary, and coauthor of Black Man's Religion and Defending Black Faith )

About the Author

Keith Augustus Burton is Executive Director of Life emPowerment, Inc., and an adjunct professor of Religion at the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. He has addressed audiences in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean, and is a sought after speaker and seminar presenter. His books include, Rhetoric, Law, and the Mystery of Salvation, The Faith Factor and The Compassion of the Christ. He has a PhD in Religious and Theological Studies from Northwestern University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (July 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830827625
• ISBN-13: 978-0830827626
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Keith Augustus Burton is Executive Director of Life emPowerment, Inc., a faith based organization that empowers people to make transformational choices that positively effect their lives and communities. He is also an adjunct instructor of religion at the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, and served as professor of theology at Oakwood University-a historically Black institution in Huntsville, Alabama. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious and Theological Studies from Northwestern University.

Armed with a wealth of information and an engaging presentation style, Dr. Burton has motivated numerous audiences in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. As a result of his presentations, thousands have made public commitments to positively contribute to the strengthening of their communities.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Dr. Burton has authored over one-hundred articles and several books. Recent books include The Compassion of the Christ (Stanborough Press, 2004), The Faith Factor: The Key to Black Empowerment (Life Heritage Publications, 2005), and The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity (InterVarsity Press, 2007). For a number of years, he also served as the associate speaker for the popular weekend television series, The Mission is Possible, and is a frequent guest on WEUP Talk, a community talk show focusing on current events.

Dr. Burton firmly believes that good citizens make good communities, and is committed to bringing out the "good" in all he encounters. His commitment to service is driven by his life's motto: "A tree is known by its fruit."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setting the Record Straight, March 24, 2008

By 

African Prince - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity (Paperback)

Burton is clear on his intention from the start, and sticks very closely to his plan. His primary purpose is to show that Africa and Africans have always been a part of God's divine plan. He forces us to look differently at the biblical world as we are exposed to the obvious: the biblical "Land of Ham" includes both the modern continent of Africa and the Middle East. Having established his basis from a straight forward reading of Genesis 10, Burton introduces us to the territory and characters of "biblical Africa." His conclusion that the majority of the Bible is set in "biblical Africa" only makes sense. It's so basic, I wonder why so many have missed it! It was also refreshing to take a fresh look at names of Hamitic personalities who are not usually considered "African" like King Nebuchadnezaar, Rahab, Uriah, and Melchizedek.

While the first two parts of the book serve as a ready reference (almost an encyclopedia) to the land and people of biblical Africa, the final four sections are devoted to a whirlwind tour of church history from an African perspective. While it is common knowledge that many of the theologians of the early church hailed from Africa, few church history books take the time to discuss Arabian Christianity and the influence of Christianity on Islam. The perspective The Blessing of Africa brings to the current crisis in the Middle East is absolutely priceless. Tony Blair and Condeleeza Rice need to read this!

The book ends with a serious look at the current role the Bible plays in African Christianity. This is a landmark study that is set to do for studies in Christianity what Martin Bernal's Black Athena did for classical studies. Those used to traditional readings will have a hard time accepting some things, but I'm glad that someone is willing to "set the record straight"!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUR ROOTS, April 20, 2008

By 

EMMANUEL WOODS - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity (Paperback)

The Revolutionary Black National Freedom Fighter Minister Malcolm X once said, "All of our studies, history is best qualify to reward all our research."While we party and ignore our rich heritage, Dr Keith Burton harvested the historical, Biblical, and geographical development of the great contributions of the African people in the historical development of the Abrahamic monotheism.
As we have move from the stage of oral tradition of which our ancestors narrated our history, a new breed of African scholars have ressurected to write our "oral" history for us to know.Dr Keith Burton is one of those rare Afrocentric Biblical scolars who have been blessed to feed us our heritage in the time of ignorance.
I recomend that every Biblical student Black,White and others study this book to know the development and contribution of the 3 great montheistic faith in ALKEBULAN( AFRICA).The only problem I saw in this book when he mentioned the French in Sierra Leone instead of the British on page 19.I extend my blessings to you Dr Burton you are a true Griot.The harvest is ripe but the harvester are few and you are among the few.

Chaplain CPT Emmanuel G. Woods, II United States Army.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dont Judge a Book By Its Cover, October 8, 2007

By 

Eric Smith (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity (Paperback)

As a student of the development of the African church, I was really excited when I picked this book up. It looked great, the chapter titles seemed interesting, and the subject matter looked right up my alley. I was gravely dissappointed. The word "racist", though probably appropriate, was overused (thesaurus please). And the first chapters basically boiled down to a retelling of the stories of the OT with various opinions thrown in as statements of fact. I appreciate what this author was TRYING to do, but he really misses a great oppurtunity to educate the public (and students) on a subject that has been , and is, gravely overlooked.